Much Needed Investment in Transportation Infrastructure

Governor Martin O’Malley announced another round of investments which the State will make in transportation infrastructure. The Governor was in Montgomery County to announce that there would be nearly $650 million in transportation investment in the county, as well as a commitment of $400 million of investment in the construction of the Purple Line for both Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. He said the investment would create more than 9,700 jobs. He also announced that the Administration would be soliciting for a Public/Private Partnership for the Purple Line project to maximize the investment and benefit to the local economy and community.

Last month the Administration announced $650 million of transportation investment in Prince Georges County, which included a number of new and upgraded interchanges and safety improvements throughout the County. The investment in Prince Georges County is estimated to create 4,000 jobs.

The Maryland Chamber has made protecting and enhancing transportation funding a priority for many years. Investments like the ones announced today are the result of bills passed earlier this year to increase transportation funding and promote public private partnerships. The Maryland Chamber supported the bills. We believe that investing in transportation infrastructure will create an influx of jobs and reduction of congestion and commute times that will help boost Maryland’s economy.